Betfair Poker has made an offer to Michael Phelps, the Olympian who captivated the world as he swam for eight gold medals to set a new Olympic record. Betfair is offering to pay for Michael Phelps to participate in the ₤10,000 buy-in World Series of Poker Europe Main Event, giving him yet another opportunity to captivate an audience.
Ever since his historic Olympic run ended Phelps has been submerged in a deluge of advertising, sponsorship, and other offers. Phelps told a reported that he plays poker and would like to play in the World Series of Poker someday. Betfair was apparently listening as they were quick to make the offer to Michael Phelps.
Betfair Poker is an online poker room which is also the sponsor of the WSOPE. Betfair is obviously hoping to increase the exposure of the WSOPE by having Michael Phelps be in attendance, a very savvy marketing move. This year the WSOPE will take place from September 19th thru October 2nd and will feature four events, one more than the three that were in the inaugural WSOPE last year. A No Limit Holdem event will be added to the lineup that includes a HORSE event, a Pot Limit Omaha Event, and the ₤10,000 No Limit Holdem Main Event.
The first place prize in the Main Event is guaranteed to be over ₤1 million, and if Michael Phelps chooses to play he will grab a lot of attention in a quest to secure a gold bracelet to go with his gold medals.